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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Wednesday Vignette

Recently I've been captivated by a little angel in my garden. Brugmansia 'Little Angel' to be exact. I'm not usually a fan of double brugmansias as the beauty of the single form thrills me. In the fall, this one was on a sale table, out of bloom and with few leaves. She put on a little growth in the greenhouse, battled spider mites and dropped her leaves again but is recovering nicely and putting forth buds. This is the first to open, it's wafting evening scent seducing us to seek her out.

Layers of chiffon create a beautiful gown. Steve Martin said in one of his routines that he believed that women should be put on a pedestal...just high enough that you can look up their dresses. That's exactly what I've done with this lovely lady. (Fun fact: All of the angels mentioned Jewish, Christian, and Islamic scripture have male names although, being supernatural beings, would they need to be male or female? )

Splashes of frills.

Gown designed by Tim Burton?

One can almost hear the rustle of taffeta. The fragrance of brugmansia has a mild euphoric effect on humans.

She's a pretty little angel and I'm glad she's happy in my garden.

Thanks to Anna at Flutter and Hum, who each week hosts Wednesday Vignette. Click here to join in the fun!

Check out this interesting article here about Brugmansia and Datura use in a variety of cultures.

I've never been particularly attracted to these, probably because the thought of something else to overwinter is not appealing. Also, the dangling blooms confuse me, like the upside down tomato plants. What pollinates these, moths?

Perhaps my hesitance is because I've never seen/smelled one in person?

You have outdone yourself with these pictures! I always coveted Brugmansia, but no green house, no angel. Very interesting article about Datura. Jean Auel weaved this plant into her stories of our ancient ancestors in the Earth's Children series.

Shes's a beauty. All the more impressive since I found double white Brugs difficult enough to give them all away at a swap. The greenhouse makes such a big difference getting early blooms. Brugmansia is one of the few exceptions I make for watering plants in the garden because the flowers are so extraordinary.

Those are the most beautiful Brugmansia photos I've ever seen! I'm not usually a huge fan, but you've convinced me of their bewitching qualities. This white double variety seems like it would be wonderful in a moonlight garden. Just stunning ...

About Me

Why Outlaw Gardener? I like to break the rules of good taste, plant placement, and plant hardiness. Also, I have received periodic "love notes" from the city code enforcement officer telling me that my parking strip plants encroach on the city's right-of-way. When expressing my distress over the latest such notice, I exclaimed to my pal Loree (Danger Garden) "I'm an outlaw gardener!" To which she replied,"That would be a good name for a blog."
My first gardens were in Southeast Alaska (zone 3.)I do miss the beauty and community of small-town Alaska but I don't take for granted for a moment how wonderful it is to garden in zone 8.